Sunday Musings - July 11, 2021
In houses of worship around the world communities of individuals gather. Many gather Friday evenings. Some gather on Saturday and some on Sunday. Some gather for daily worship. Others are called to prayers several times a day. In every religion there are elders - known as rabbis, ministers, prophets, theologians or imams. Some are inclusive of males and females while others continue to believe that only males are called or ordained by the god of their understanding to be leaders. Many will restrict leadership or even membership to heterosexuals. No matter the algorithms, almost all will be convinced that the god of their understanding and the leaders through which their god or gods speak or have spoken are the only reliable source of truth. A few, such as the those leaders in the Unitarian Universalist Church, will welcome a rich mixture of religious frameworks without a need to limit the prophets or the gods of one’s understanding.
No matter which religious framework, the overall goal is to discern a purpose and a set of rules for this life journey. For some this life journey is ‘merely’ a preparation for “eternal life” or the next incarnation in one’s spiritual growth. The purpose may demand or command a limited or a wide view of community and a leadership role in fighting against what is understood to be immoral or even evil behavior in themselves and others.
Often, even in nations which do not identify with a national religious framework, elected, appointed and other leaders attempt to impose their belief system. They may do so because they sincerely belief that morality dictate certain freedoms and restrictions. The may also do so because it is politically expedient.
In these United States of America which does not have a national religion and which, in fact, has a clear requirement that church and state be separated, many citizens are convinced that they have been able through study, discussions, and even prayers to determined what will best serve the mission or purpose of the nation. They will often reference such documents as a religious text, the Declaration of Independence or the constitution. Many religious leaders will support or even demand a particular set of behaviors from the body politic. How one creates the conditions to achieve that goal may be the subject of very heated arguments. Such has always been the situation in these United States. Many good people who sincerely want what is best for all the citizens have strong beliefs about the right, moral or practical way to move forward in making these United States the best possible nation state for its citizens. They may quote or share the seemingly well thought out opinions articulated by learned scholars. Their opponents can also often share seemingly well thought out and supported opinions articulated by other learned scholars. Each side may be convinced that they and only they have the only possible “truths”. Whether or not one has the only possible truths becomes a matter of not only simple pride but the determinant of one’s worth. They may believe that espousing an opposing view is a direct threat to the safety and well being of themselves and their families.
When in the course of human events such a collection of strongly held beliefs exists the connective tissue which had heretofore held a nation together may be in danger is dissolving. This leaves a group of independent communities or nation states within what is now a pseudo nation; a nation which no longer has a common goal other than the negative goal of silencing those with opposing views.
Such seems to be the current situation in these United States. Civil, respectful debates seem to be near impossible. Certain key words become the matches which ignites fires Those words have completely different meanings for individuals. Their power is such that individuals with opposing views may not be able to tolerate speaking to each other.
On this Sunday which for many is the sabbath and for others the day following the Friday or Saturday sabbath the question which religious and spiritual leaders need to address is their role in promoting or discouraging a common purpose which is not dependent on the views of learned scholars but embraces the simplicity of shared resources; of acceptance of our common humanity.
Written July 11, 2021
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
In houses of worship around the world communities of individuals gather. Many gather Friday evenings. Some gather on Saturday and some on Sunday. Some gather for daily worship. Others are called to prayers several times a day. In every religion there are elders - known as rabbis, ministers, prophets, theologians or imams. Some are inclusive of males and females while others continue to believe that only males are called or ordained by the god of their understanding to be leaders. Many will restrict leadership or even membership to heterosexuals. No matter the algorithms, almost all will be convinced that the god of their understanding and the leaders through which their god or gods speak or have spoken are the only reliable source of truth. A few, such as the those leaders in the Unitarian Universalist Church, will welcome a rich mixture of religious frameworks without a need to limit the prophets or the gods of one’s understanding.
No matter which religious framework, the overall goal is to discern a purpose and a set of rules for this life journey. For some this life journey is ‘merely’ a preparation for “eternal life” or the next incarnation in one’s spiritual growth. The purpose may demand or command a limited or a wide view of community and a leadership role in fighting against what is understood to be immoral or even evil behavior in themselves and others.
Often, even in nations which do not identify with a national religious framework, elected, appointed and other leaders attempt to impose their belief system. They may do so because they sincerely belief that morality dictate certain freedoms and restrictions. The may also do so because it is politically expedient.
In these United States of America which does not have a national religion and which, in fact, has a clear requirement that church and state be separated, many citizens are convinced that they have been able through study, discussions, and even prayers to determined what will best serve the mission or purpose of the nation. They will often reference such documents as a religious text, the Declaration of Independence or the constitution. Many religious leaders will support or even demand a particular set of behaviors from the body politic. How one creates the conditions to achieve that goal may be the subject of very heated arguments. Such has always been the situation in these United States. Many good people who sincerely want what is best for all the citizens have strong beliefs about the right, moral or practical way to move forward in making these United States the best possible nation state for its citizens. They may quote or share the seemingly well thought out opinions articulated by learned scholars. Their opponents can also often share seemingly well thought out and supported opinions articulated by other learned scholars. Each side may be convinced that they and only they have the only possible “truths”. Whether or not one has the only possible truths becomes a matter of not only simple pride but the determinant of one’s worth. They may believe that espousing an opposing view is a direct threat to the safety and well being of themselves and their families.
When in the course of human events such a collection of strongly held beliefs exists the connective tissue which had heretofore held a nation together may be in danger is dissolving. This leaves a group of independent communities or nation states within what is now a pseudo nation; a nation which no longer has a common goal other than the negative goal of silencing those with opposing views.
Such seems to be the current situation in these United States. Civil, respectful debates seem to be near impossible. Certain key words become the matches which ignites fires Those words have completely different meanings for individuals. Their power is such that individuals with opposing views may not be able to tolerate speaking to each other.
On this Sunday which for many is the sabbath and for others the day following the Friday or Saturday sabbath the question which religious and spiritual leaders need to address is their role in promoting or discouraging a common purpose which is not dependent on the views of learned scholars but embraces the simplicity of shared resources; of acceptance of our common humanity.
Written July 11, 2021
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
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